ABB to Provide Link Worth $900 Million for Power Superhighway in India

ABB has been selected by Power Grid Corporation of India Ltd. (PGCIL) to deliver an ultrahigh-voltage transmission system, worth about $900 million. The link will supply hydropower from northeastern India to the city of Agra over a distance of 1,728 kilometers.

ABB has been chosen to execute the North-East Agra transmission project together with BHEL (Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited), an Indian government–owned power company that will deliver the remainder of the project worth more than $1.1 billion in total. The order will be booked on completion of financing requirements.

The ultrahigh-voltage direct current (UHVDC) link operating at 800 kilovolts (kV) will have a converter capacity of 8,000 megawatts (MW). When operating at full capacity, the link will be able to supply enough electricity to serve 90 million people (based on average national consumption). Using ultrahigh-voltage minimizes transmission losses and improves efficiency.

“The North-East Agra transmission link sets a new standard in ultrahigh-voltage power transmission and underlines ABB’s global leadership in HVDC technology,” said Peter Leupp, head of ABB’s Power Systems division. ”We are pleased to continue supporting India in the development of its power infrastructure.”

Two “sending” stations will convert power from ac to dc for transmission over a single power line that will pass through the narrow Siliguri Corridor and deliver electricity to the third, “receiving,” station in Agra, where it will be converted back into ac for distribution to end users.